Total body conditioning in 5-minutes a day! Celebrity trainer and NBC?s ?Today Show? fitness expert Kathy Kaehler leads you through a series of 5-minute workouts designed to tone and condition your entire body. In this "... more »back to basics" approach to exercise, you?ll hit all three sides of The Fitness Triangle: Cardiovascular, Strength and Flexibility. Plus, you?ll increase lean muscle mass and improve your balance and posture. If you?re new to exercise or crunched for time, this 7 segment workout program is right for you. Complete the entire 35-minutes or choose a 5-minute segment each day: Warm Up, Cardio Blast, Bottoms Up, Arm Sculpting, Hot Legs, Absolutely Abs, or Stretch It Out. You too can perform the same tried and true techniques that have helped shape such famous physiques as Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jennifer Aniston!« less
Lauren S. (Laurens76) from CHARLTON, MA Reviewed on 1/18/2010...
This is great for days you want to do something, but don't have an hour or even a half hour to work out. You can pick a few 5-minute quick workouts and be done. The segments themselves are not too challenging, good for beginners or people just getting back into fitness. I am pregnant and don't have the stamina I used to so this dvd works well for me. :)
Movie Reviews
Powerful Total Body Fitness
Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 06/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kathy Kaehler is a celebrity trainer who knows how to tone and condition your entire body in about 50 minutes (DVD says approx 45 minutes). She is a more serious instructor who still likes to have fun.
If you have an hour to exercise this is a good choice. She does give ideas for working out for 5 minutes a day, but I can't see this workout being effective in only 5 minutes. I'm learning you need to workout a lot more than 5 minutes a day if you want a fit body like Kathy Kaehler. Let's be realistic here. I hear that some very famous individuals, who we all know, exercise 6 times a week and for way more than 5 minutes. I've even heard of some actors trying to get in shape by working out for 2 hours a day.
Each segment doesn't have its own warm-up section, so you will more than likely end up doing at least two segments at a time, maybe the first two sections and the bonus at the end would be easy to fit into a tight schedule.
After you do this workout you will want to do the entire workout again and again. It is slightly addictive for reasons I can't quite comprehend. The set is in a living room; so maybe this makes me feel "at home." The set includes a Persian carpet, sapphire curtain, couch and table. A chair is taken from the dining room and you will need a sturdy chair. I prefer to put the chair up against a wall.
You honestly don't have time to be running about collecting the items you need. Things to collect before you start: mat, towel, chair, ball, 5-lb weights. The playing cards are optional but maybe more motivational than essential. Kathy Kaehler uses the cards while doing lunges and once while doing abs. Otherwise, you really don't need special equipment. The yoga mat seems essential when doing some yoga exercises.
Segments:
Warm it up
Cardio Blast
Bottoms Up
Arm Sculpting
Hot Legs
Ab-Solutely Ab
Stretch it out
Where do I feel the workout the most? In my stomach and legs. Who knew leaning up against a wall could be so intense or that my abs could feel so tight in such a short amount of time.
The motivational music keeps you focused and you quickly burn lots of calories, increase muscle mass and reduce your risk of disease.
Just when you think you are "absolutely" finished and all stretched out, the bonus section gets you all worked up again. I think the bonus section should be part of the workout and put back in right before the stretching. Although, if you want a break after doing your abs it can work pretty well.
Health tips include things like "not crossing your legs while sitting" and "walking when angry." The Nutrition tips help you work on your lifestyle and include ideas like drinking vegetable juices as snacks.
Benefits:
Increased Cardiovascular strength
Calories - you will burn a lot if you do the entire workout at once
Increase Muscle Mass - the use of weights helps
Increase Flexibility - not much stretching, but enough to stretch you out after exercising
I look forward to trying more Kathy Kaehler workouts. She works me out fast and furiously and I'm still sort of panting while writing this. This workout should make you sweat and give you a burst of energy. Nice as an afternoon pick up to wake you up for an evening out.
~The Rebecca Review
Reviewing my way to fitness, one exercise DVD at a time...
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Great short workout!!
vivian | Miami, FL USA | 01/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really loved this workout! Kathy works out all your muscles with simple yet effective moves. I really love that this video is only 35 mins long which is great for me because I have two toddlers which don't give me much time to myself. Despite reading somewhat negative reviews on this video, I must say that I am really glad I bought this and definitely will use it regularly. The exercises are low impact and the moves are simple and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick and thorough workout or to someone new to workout videos...they will love it, I know I do!"
A Good Start
N. D. Harmon | Baltimore USA | 03/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The "Kathy Kaehler Basics Total Fitness Workout" DVD is perfect for anyone ONLY looking for a light moderate workout in 35 minutes or less that produces results. My case: returning to an exercise regime post major surgery resulting in a 9 lbs reduction in two weeks. The DVD consists of seven 5 minute workout segments (Warm up, Cardio, Glutes, Arms, Legs, Abs and Stretching). You may choose to play the entire workout or to select a segment(s). The only equipment you will need is a mat/towel, a small flexible ball, a chair and 3/5 lbs dumbbells. Bonus material is also included incorporating 3 mini fitness breaks, health tips and previews of "Kathy Kaehler's Workout Class" DVD and "Celebrity Workouts" book. Captions available."
Love it! Feel like a Hollywood celeb!!!
Into the Woods | California | 06/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm really glad I bought this workout dvd. It's one I've been able to stick to and I always look forward to doing the workouts. I like how you can break it up into small targeted workouts although I usually find myself doing the entire 35 minutes once I get started. I like Kathy Kaehler who comes across as warm yet very professional and motivating. I like that she looks fit rather than supermodel-y and silly as it sounds, I like the 'Friends' type set she uses. I'm a very visual person and little things like that can help me stay motivated! I did this workout 4 times a week along with power walking and a sensible low carb/calorie diet using some of the tips she gives on the dvd. I dropped 2 sizes in less than 3 weeks and love that I can fit into skinny jeans again! Definitely one of my favorites. Like having your own personal Hollywood trainer in your own home."
I'm no fitness buff...
Natasha | Chicago, IL United States | 02/23/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"But this tape was mediocre at best. The cardio blast segment didn't make me sweat much - more like a warm up. The constant moving a chair, putting it to the side, bringing it back, getting something else - I felt it took away from the actual workout. It could have been organized better, like doing all the chair exercises then moving to the mat rather than switching it all the time.
Also, that weird violin music during the cool down segment was a turn off. It's more irritating than soothing.
I am by no means an expert - I consider myself a beginner. But I highly recommend Claudia Schiffer & Kathy Kaehler's "Perfectly Fit" VHS tapes. They are 30 minute workouts that target specific areas and they are highly effective. You will sweat and see results!"